mage-conscious and lapsing into I-dont-give-a-you-know-what mode.With the 145th Open Championship set to b

mage-conscious and lapsing into I-dont-give-a-you-know-what mode.With the 145th Open Championship set to b

TROON, Scotland -- For a little over an hour on Tuesday afternoon here at Royal Troon, the player interview room became a repository for cautiously dancing around an issue and for stomping all over it. For tiptoeing through eggshells and for spitting straight fire. For remaining wholly image-conscious and lapsing into I-dont-give-a-you-know-what mode.With the 145th Open Championship set to begin in less than 48 hours, two of the games biggest stars sat down in front of the assembled media and were largely grilled not about the games oldest major championship, but about the upcoming Olympics -- an event neither will be playing.First up was Jordan Spieth, whod just withdrawn his name from Olympics consideration one day earlier. He answered an initial softball about returning to The Open, then punctuated his response by knowingly adding with a coy smile: I can already see, by far, thats going to be the easiest question I receive.It was. He was immediately asked about the burden of his decision, the pressure hed received to compete and why he came to that conclusion. Spieth explained that health concerns and other risk factors of playing in Rio de Janeiro ultimately led to his withdrawal.He then offered comments that would bring a proud tear to the eye of any PR flak.This was probably the hardest decision Ive ever had to make in my life. ... Im very passionate and very much a supporter of the Olympics and Olympic golf. ... I certainly hope they vote to keep it, because I believe it can be very beneficial for the game and I would love to be a part of benefiting the game with it.At one point, Spieth was even self-aware enough to acknowledge his hand movements, saying hed better sit still or theyd be misconstrued in photographs.It was clear that he understood this was an unpopular decision but fully intended to emerge from it with his public image still intact. He might have declined an invitation to the wedding, but he still wanted to send a nice present with the RSVP.If there was a controversial comment during the proceedings, even that was masked by Spieths insistence that this was a personal choice.Im making the decision of what I think is best for me, he said. I dont feel like I have to carry the torch -- see what I did there? -- for the sport or anyone else. This is bigger than that for me personally.Not long after Spieth finished, Rory McIlroy sat down in the same chair and offered a contradictory approach to answering similar questions.It was three weeks ago when McIlroy made his decision to eschew the Olympics, citing fears over the Zika virus. Up to that point, hed been in favor of golfs inclusion; after his announcement, he softened on the idea, though still contested that more top players would be competing if the tournament was being held elsewhere.On Tuesday, he didnt pull any punches.I dont feel like Ive let the game down at all, he said of his decision. I didnt get into golf to try and grow the game. I got into golf to win championships and win major championships. All of a sudden, you get to this point and there is a responsibility on you to grow the game and I get that. But at the same time, thats not the reason that I got into golf. I got into golf to win. I didnt get into golf to get other people into the game.This was a stark departure from just a few months earlier, when McIlroy specifically said of his Olympics inclusion, I feel like I have a responsibility to grow the game.Not only did he shift gears this time, he clearly wasnt worried about the public reaction.He continued: Ill probably watch the Olympics, but Im not sure golf will be one of the events I watch. ... [Ill] probably [watch] the events like track and field, swimming, diving -- the stuff that matters.The stuff that matters.Unlike Spieths delicate attempt to convey golfs relevance in the Olympics without his participation, McIlroy stuck a knife in the back of the event and twisted it. Hard.The ensuing public outrage and social media uproar over McIlroys comments in comparison to the general malaise surrounding those of Spieth are less because of what he said than how he said it. If Spieth launched a high fade that landed like a butterfly with sore feet. Then, McIlroy opted for a penetrating stinger that bounded relentlessly into the gallery.Theres no right or wrong answer here. Theres no specific blueprint for these players to speak their minds about the Olympics or any other issue.From tiptoeing through eggshells to spitting fire, two of the games biggest stars took two severely different approaches toward voicing their feelings. On this afternoon, the dichotomy between them was shocking. Wholesale Jerseys USA . Robinson finished with 17 points, all but two in the second half, and Lawson had 14 after halftime and finished with a game-high 11 assists as the Nuggets handed Dallas its first home loss in eight games this season. J.J. Hickson led Denver with 22, and Kenneth Faried added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Wholesale China Jerseys . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. http://www.cheapcnjerseystousa.com/ . However, he did make them miss him a little less. Cundiff, who had the unenviable job of replacing Dawson last season, agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1. MLB Jerseys China . On June 12, just as the sun sets on the magnificent historical city of Sao Paulo the inventors, innovators and purveyors of “joga bonitowill” open their campaign. The opponent, Croatia and all its football might and will. As opposites do attract we are set for a corker of an opener. China Jerseys Authentic . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team.Its a League Cup special this week as Max and Merse are joined by former Oxford United, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland international midfielder Ray Houghton on The Fantasy Football Club. Houghton is a double League Cup winner, having got his hands on the trophy in 1986 and 1994 with Oxford and Villa respectively.Meanwhile, another of Houghtons old teams, Liverpool, take on Manchester City in Sundays final at Wembley in a game you can see live on Sky Sports 1 HD. Also, former League Cup winner Tony Cottee reminisces with some great old photos from his career for In The Picture.The one-time striker tells us about singing Englands Euro 88 song, what it was like to be sent off at Anfield and whatever happened to his PFA Young Player of the Year Fiat Uno prize! Plus he never won the League Cup, but he did win La Liga twice - Ruben Baraja picks one of the best one2elevens weve seen on the show.dddddddddddd With a career with Spain, Valencia and Atletico Madrid, the former midfielder has played with the greats...Watch The Fantasy Football Club, Friday, 5pm, Sky Sports 1 HD. 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